About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide robust, state-of-the-art philanthropic tools to help anti-human trafficking organizations increase their financial resources, strengthen their donor relationships and provide consistent sources of income to achieve their mission.
Our Services
To this end, the Co-Founders, Michael Canney and Dr. Joe Moravec, created Stop Trafficking Now.US: a mission initiative of the Community Foundation for Inspired Giving. Stop Trafficking Now.US is a state-of-the-art “Giving Hub” that provides a single giving platform for our Affiliated Partners that can be supported by donors through a robust menu of giving options. Through the StopTraffickingNow.US site, individuals, groups and organizations can “give now”, “give later” and “give forever”. Now is the time to stop trafficking: Now is the time to GIVE. To support our efforts to help increase the charitable giving capacities of other human trafficking organizations, click the “GIVE NOW” tab on our Cause page. To learn of the opportunities available and/or how your organization can become an Affiliated Partner of Stop Trafficking Now.US
Our Strategy
The most effective way to fight human trafficking is for individuals and organizations to use a three-pronged approach of “Learning”, “Doing” and “Giving”. “Learning” involves becoming aware and knowledgeable about human slavery in all of its changing forms and effects. “Doing” activates learning by providing opportunities and outlets for individuals and organizations to effect change and promote healing. “Giving” sustains and builds the capacities of those individuals and organizations actively engaged in the fight. Like a three-legged stool, incorporating these three strategies provide a solid, secure and balanced offense to stop trafficking. If one approach is lacking or missing, overall efforts flail. However, when utilized and practiced together, each of these three aspects stimulates the other in a synergistic way creating a powerful spiraling effect with maximized impact.
Arguably, the single greatest area of need for individuals and organizations fighting human trafficking is money. More and better ways and means for financing those entities’ valiant efforts must be explored and developed. Efforts to stop trafficking NOW depend on it.
Meet The Team
Michael L. Canney
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Michael is the Founder of the Giving Group and the Community Foundation for Inspired Giving. These two entities exist to help further the philanthropic purposes of non-profits providing best-in-class financial tools that allow donors to “Give Now, Give Later and Give Forever”TM. He is also Co-Founder of Stop Trafficking Now.US, a mission of the Community Foundation, purposed to help anti-human trafficking organizations increase their financial capacities to achieve their mission.
Over the years, he has been committed to supporting numerous nonprofit groups dedicated to youth and the faith community. He has served on several non-profit boards and steering committees. Currently, Michael serves on the boards of both The Iowa Prayer Breakfast and the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America and is a past President.
Michael has more than 44 years of experience in the financial services industry in asset management consulting. Michael, retired from Morgan Stanley as a First Vice President/Financial Advisor, consulted with trustees and donors to foundations and endowments – both private and public. Michael has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner since 1983.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Michael and his wife live in Des Moines and have three grown children and one grandchild.
Dr. Joseph C. Moravec
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Dr. Moravec is the President of the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation for Inspired Giving, a 501c.3 purposed to help further the philanthropic purposes of non-profits providing best-in-class financial tools that allow donors to “Give Now, Give Later and Give Forever”TM. He is also Co-Founder of Stop Trafficking Now.US, a mission of the Community Foundation for Inspired Giving, established to help anti-human trafficking organizations increase their financial capacities to achieve their mission.
Since 2013, Dr. Moravec has been engaged in the fight against human trafficking and slavery teaching Mercy College of Health Sciences’ students and leading the College in its stance against trafficking. Furthermore, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and has led on the Executive Committee as Co-Chair of the Research/Evaluation and Best Practice Committee during 2018-22. His Network accomplishments include: being Co-Executive Producer of the human trafficking training film, No Room for Trafficking: How to stop trafficking in Iowa hotels: to date, this film has been used to help train over 22,000 hotel and motel employees throughout Iowa through the Department of Public Safety website; and, helping develop the “Learn Something, Do Something” resources for the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) initiative of the Iowa Secretary of State’s Safe at Home program. Moreover, nationally, he is an Ambassador for Shared Hope International and an Abolitionist for the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking.
Notably, Dr. Moravec’s resume includes being an author, a publisher, a consultant, a national training leader, a professor at six different colleges (currently 20+ years at Mercy College), and an ordained minister with over 25 years of pastoral ministry experience. He has earned two master’s degrees and one doctorate degree.
Dr. Moravec and his wife live in the Des Moines and have three grown children and four grandchildren.
Al Perez
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Alfonso Perez is the Strategic Development Director for the Community Foundation for Inspired Giving. Al has 30 years of ministry and community leadership and is graced with an ability to transcend ethnicities, political lines, denominational divides, and barriers in community that often separate the Church and other community silos. He sits on several city, county boards and state commissions. Al also advises the city of Des Moines on urban community development.
Moreover, Al hosted The Public Report on the TCT Network, a national Christian television network with an affiliate in Iowa that Al promotes. On the show, Al highlighted leaders influencing the gates of culture. Rev. Alfonso is a leader in the Latino community, having served on the Governor’s Commission of Latino Affairs, in addition to the Governor’s Focus Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. In addition, Al is a chaplain in 2 agencies, Des Moines Polic department & the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
Al’s love and passion for community has yielded numerous accolades including: 2011 Who's Who Among Business Professionals and Leaders, 2014 Iowa Character Award by Governor Robert Ray's organization Character Counts, 2016 recipient of the Des Moines Education Association Volunteer of the Year award, the 2016 Polk County Community Champion Award, a 2015 recipient of the Des Moines Police Department’s Community Ambassador Program Volunteer Service Recognition Award and a 2017 Optimist Award.
Al's latest recognitions was being honored by the Des Moines Register as one of 15 TO WATCH FOR in 2020, as well as receiving the Leadership Impact Award for 2020 by the Family Leader; A National Political & Religious Organization in our Country. Ending his 2020 year: he again is being honored by Marquis Who's Who for 2021 for his line of work. In 2022 Al, along with his colleagues, received the Iowa Hall of Fame Volunteer of the Year Award for the VAXDSM campaign alongside United Way’s Opportunity Initiative. Mr. Perez has been inducted into the Latino Hall of Fame by the Office of Latino Affairs.
Dr. Jennifer Olson, DO
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Dr. Jennifer Olson brings a deep commitment to compassionate care, community service, and faith to her leadership. As a baptized child of God, she has dedicated decades to nurturing others—serving as a Sunday school teacher for over 40 years, working as a medical missionary for the past ten years, and offering her guidance through service on various church boards.
Professionally, Dr. Olson has dedicated 30 years to practicing family medicine, bringing a wealth of clinical expertise and a holistic approach to patient and community health. Her extensive leadership and civic commitment also extend to major regional organizations, including service on the MercyOne Foundation Board and the United Way Campaign Cabinet.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, she has been married for 37 years, is a proud mother of 2 children, and a grandmother of 2 children.
Guided by a profound sense of purpose, Dr. Olson shares: "I am an inspirational change agent that is called to have all see they are welcomed, heard, seen, and valued in this world." Her lifelong dedication to service, medical excellence, and inclusivity makes her a visionary and compassionate advocate for the board.
Pastor Mark Reetz
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Pastor Mark Reetz has faithfully served in ministry since May 1975, dedicating over 51 years of his life to serving God and ministering to others. He has been married to his wife, Marianne, for 55 years, and together they have three children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Since 2003, Pastor Mark has been actively involved in the rescue and restoration of human trafficking victims in Des Moines, Iowa. He is the founder of Team Jesus of Iowa, a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines that serves the homeless, street population, human trafficking victims, and individuals struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction.
Located at 516 New York Avenue in Des Moines, Team Jesus of Iowa also operates a food pantry open to the public five days a week, providing food and support to those in need.
Pastor Mark remains passionate about sharing God’s love, bringing hope to the hurting, and helping individuals find restoration and a new beginning. He looks forward to continuing to serve God and the Des Moines community for many years to come.